Meet Katie Dubnik! Katie graduated from Gainesville High School before attending the University of Georgia, where she earned a marketing degree. With her degree and entrepreneurial spirit Katie started her own business, Forum Communications in Gainesville.
“We are a full service marketing agency focused on helping businesses and nonprofits find their voice in a crowded marketplace. We offer everything from graphic design to branding to creative communications.” (from the Forum Communications website)
In addition to running her business, Katie is incredibly active in the community.
“My grandfather always told me that ‘you’ve got to pay a little rent in your community,’” Katie said.
And, that is exactly what she has done. Katie has served on the board of the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, is a member of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County, serves as the Resource Development Chair for the United Way, the Vice Chair of Membership at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and is the incoming President of Women’s Source.
Katie maintains a busy schedule but enjoys spending her free time at Lake Burton and teaching her kids to ride their bikes. She also loves to run and catch up with friends.
We’d like to thank Katie for all that she’s put into Hall County, and for sitting down to tell us a little bit about it.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “Life, I went to UGA and got a degree in marketing. Then, I got my MBA and MHA from Georgia State, but I kept being called back to marketing. I started my own business, Forum Communications. Being an entrepreneur definitely suits my personality. I love to promote local businesses and meet people–it’s a passion.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County?
A: “2 Dog, it is quick and easy with my family. The food is fun, and fresh, and great. They’re my go-to for catering.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Pretty much my whole life”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Italy, I studied abroad there and I’d love to travel back with my husband, sister, and brother-in-law.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “’The Little Mermaid.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Follow your passions in life whatever they may be. People are most fulfilled when they love what they do instead of for any other motive.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Go to Wine Country, I think it would be a good getaway.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Bon Jovi (in his youth), Jason Isbell and Lynyrd Skynyrd.”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Home Federal Savings and Loan Bank; my grandfather started that bank. He was a marketer at heart which has somewhat inspired my career. People always share stories and memories of the bank with me.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love
to have lunch?
A: “Ellen, because I’d like to sit down with her and hear stories of people she’s met. I think her humor would entertain me. Oprah would be fascinating, as well. Both of them are generous, caring people. I’d take them to 2 Dog.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “I love that it’s a community that cares about improvement. It’s small enough for personal relationships, but big enough where you meet new people every day. I also enjoy the geographic location.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I see Forum continuing to grow, and regionalizing our business while continuing to do work with great local businesses. Also, watching my kids figure out what they love to do; so possibly sitting at ball fields or whatever they choose to do.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I can slalom, water ski, kayak, whitewater raft, and used to teach rock climbing.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Safe, smiles and ‘where the heart is.’”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.